Running Green

Every alternative fuel has its own sweet spot, says Darren Engle, director of government relations for Blue Star Gas. “[Although I work for a propane supplier], we are about promoting all alternative fuels and finding the one that works best for each fleet application.

State and local officials joined representatives from Ruan and U.S. Gain as they watched a Ruan compressed natural gas (CNG) truck break the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the newest GAIN Clean Fuel CNG station in North America....More

I’ve been noticing a lot more intermodal freight lately so I want to step outside my normal focus on Class 8 dry van and reefers and share some thoughts on intermodal chassis and their containers. You know what I am talking about — the tractors hauling intermodal chassis and their shipping containers which have corrugated or ribbed sides to improve durability. ...More

To help fleets reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Thermo King has tapped into a technology it has been using in Europe for new trailer and self-powered refrigeration units.
The new units with lower global warming potential (GWP) are pending approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, the company said....More

When it comes to alternative power, the right fit is everything. But hitting that “sweet spot” can be a lot tougher than it seems.
This intensely practical, how-to webinar features special guest speakers Jeff Bush, National Fleet Purchasing Manager with Nestlé Waters North America, and Ronald Gitelman CAFM,MBA, MPA, Fleet Management Program Administrator for Yale University. Bush and Gitelman share their experienced-based insights on successfully choosing and deploying alternative power vehicles from operating issues (sometimes unexpected) to maintenance tips and ROI. Presented by Fleet Owner and sponsored by Ryder....More

Each year, Fleet Owner presents its look at the new truck models and upgrades to current truck models that buyers will find in the marketplace for 2016. Click though this gallery to see all the latest news from each manufacturer, presented in three sections: Class 1-3, Class 4-7, and Class 8.

Sometimes, the best path to fuel efficiency is picking the right truck. National Carriers, a coast-to-coast fleet hauling refrigerated goods and livestock and offering logistics services, has found that to be the case.
Two years ago, the company began converting its fleet of 670 tractors (70% company owned) to Kenworth’s T680 tractor with a 76-in. sleeper. Now the standard truck for National Carriers, which calls itself the “Elite Fleet,” the driver-friendly, aerodynamic trucks purchased through MHC Kenworth–Dallas are already paying dividends....More

Some argue that heavy-duty hybrids are down for the count. Beyond low fuel prices, “here today, gone tomorrow” government incentives, vehicle reliability and performance, technology and application-specific integration, and regulatory challenges have all taken a toll on this market....More